Practicing the best hand hygiene techniques is the easiest way to protect patients and healthcare workers from infections in hospitals. Proper hand hygiene for healthcare workers is not just a recommendation; it is a critical standard of care. This guide will cover the essential hand hygiene activities for healthcare workers and answer key questions, such as how long you should wash your hands in healthcare. Maintaining high hand hygiene standards in healthcare can help prevent or minimize the spread of germs to promote a safe, clean environment.

There are several techniques for maintaining hand hygiene within the hospital environment. These core hand hygiene activities for healthcare workers are effective methods:

Hand Washing with Soap and Water

Hand washing is the most effective way for removing visible dirt, oils, and germs. Soap and clean water work together to eliminate debris, grease, and harmful bacteria from your hands.

A common question is, how long should you wash your hands in healthcare?

Hand washing should last at least 15 seconds. Soap should be rubbed thoroughly on all areas of the hands, including between the fingers, under the nails, around the cuticles, and across both sides of the palms. Finally, should be rinsed with clean water, and hands should be dried with a single-use towel or tissue.

Hand washing using soap and water activities for healthcare workers are particularly essential after these key activities:

• If - hands are contaminated with blood, body fluids, or any visible matter
• After using the toilet
• Before eating
• After multiple use of alcohol-based sanitizers to remove any residue
• During outbreaks, such as those linked to Norovirus

Ecolab offers both cosmetic and antimicrobial soap products in liquid and foam formulations. Facilities may chose different options for various reasons such as user preference or high-risk patient care settings.

Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

This hand hygiene technique is essential for healthcare workers when their hands are not visibly dirty. In a typical hospital setting, healthcare workers may face up to 100 opportunities to wash their hands daily. Spending 100 minutes on handwashing is not practical. That is why alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is strongly recommended as an efficient alternative.

Hand sanitizer with 60-80% alcohol should be used, and hands should be rubbed for 15-20 seconds. Continuous rubbing should be performed until the solution completely dries out. The alcohol breaks down proteins present in the germs, disrupting their structure and effectively killing them. Additionally, ABHR contains emollients like glycerol, which can build up on your hands after multiple uses. Therefore, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water between multiple applications of ABHR.

These are some of the most effective hand hygiene techniques used in healthcare today. Healthcare workers should select the most appropriate method for each situation to help ensure a safe environment for all.

By implementing a hand hygiene compliance monitoring system, healthcare workers can be held accountable for their practices and receive valuable, actionable feedback.

Ecolab is a global sustainability leader that offers hygiene and infection prevention solutions to its customers across 40 industries. We offer high-quality hand hygiene products that create clean, safe environments in healthcare facilities. Feel free to contact us to learn more about our products and services!